Columbus mayor says he and city council will rely heavily on medical experts for any potential COVID policies

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – During a press conference Wednesday, mayor Keith Gaskin briefly discussed what safety policies the city council may consider as the Delta variant continues to spread. The mayor says he and the city council are open to all recommendations, though they will rely heavily on the recommendations of health officials. When it comes to decisions involving mask…

Mayor assembles team of doctors and medical experts to educate Columbus residents about COVID-19 and vaccinations

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin held a press conference Wednesday featuring a panel of local doctors and medical experts to address concerns or misconceptions residents may have about COVID-19 and the vaccine. “We’re encouraging people to consider getting vaccinated,” the mayor says. “We know that there are a lot of legitimate concerns out there by many.” https://twitter.com/spimpojr/status/1422965620543528961?s=20…

Free cuts will have kids crisp and ready for school

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI)- If you put the word free in front of anything it typically catches people’s attention; especially if it’s for something people need, like haircuts. All it takes is a clean-cut to get a lot of guys rolling, and Kustom Barber College in West Point wanted to get the kid’s school year started off right. Whether it’s…

New sick leave policy for COVID-19 has upset some Lee County employees

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A coronavirus sick leave policy recently passed by Lee County leaders has some employees crying foul. Lee County Board of Supervisors President Billy Joe Holland says a recent sick leave policy change is an incentive for county employees to get the covid 19 vaccination. “It’s still their choice, but we encourage people, I think the positives…

Golden Triangle Businessman and Grandson Dead After a Plane Crash in Oktibbeha County

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The victims in a Wednesday afternoon plane crash have been identified. OKtibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt confirms to WCBI that Gary Dedeaux and his grandson Luke Reed perished in the crash. Oktibbeha County EMA tells WCBI the plane went down near Camps Airport Road, just off Highway 45 Alternate. Dedeaux was the owner of Gary’s…

Governor Tate Reeves Says Mississippi Will Not Lockdown Again

BLUE MOUNTAIN, MISS. (WCBI) – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves vows there will be no more lockdowns across the Magnolia state. Governor Reeves was in Tippah County for a groundbreaking ceremony at a trucking company, when he was asked about potential lockdowns. Some news reports have said the Biden White House has not ruled out another widespread lockdown if COVID numbers…

Tippah County Trucking Company Expands At Blue Mountain Location

BLUE MOUNTAIN, MISS. (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi-based trucking company announces a major expansion. Michael Massengill started ‘Big M Diesel Services’ more than twenty years ago, with about ten employees. Today, the company has 500 employees, 400 trucks, and 1,500 trailers that deliver general freight throughout 48 states. And the growth continues. Big M broke ground on a new inside…

A really nice & pleasant day ahead for your Wednesday

SUMMARY: The middle part of the workweek will be amazing for early August with mostly sunny skies and cooler, less humid conditions. The summer heat and humidity will make a comeback by the weekend. We’ll be staying pretty dry over the next week or so, still can’t rule out the chance of an afternoon stray summertime shower or storm. WEDNESDAY:…

Vardaman city hall shuts down after unvaccinated employees test positive for Delta variant, mayor says low vaccination rate is a problem

VARDAMAN, Miss. (WCBI) – In the small town of Vardaman, COVID-19 has shut down city hall until further notice. Mayor James Casey says the decision came Monday after the city clerk and assistant clerk both tested positive for the Delta variant over the past five days after returning from trips to Biloxi and Destin, Florida. “(One of them) texted me…

Local Alabama counties are making a push to ease youth violence

CARROLLTON, Al. (WCBI)- Youth violence surged around the country and in the area. A west Alabama district attorney saw the trend and went to work to find a solution. People typically say the youth is the future, but if violent crimes among them continue to surge things won’t be so bright. Some leaders in Pickens County are working to get…

Kiwanis Club celebrates 100 years of serving children

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- The Kiwanis Club of Columbus celebrates 100 years of bettering the lives of children in their community. Often times the club partners with the boys and girls club or similar organizations to provide charitable work to the community. The Kiwanis club also provides annual scholarships to students with help from the chamber of commerce. “This year we…

Dry, comfy air sticks around for the workweek

SUMMARY: This summer has been unusual in that we have not seen any prolonged periods of heat! Every time we see a few average or above average days, cooler weather has seemed to quickly replace it. Once again, last week’s heat wave has been ushered out by a refreshing August “cool” front. This has kept us in the low to…

NMMC asking outpatient appointments or visitors to bring own masks

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – With more COVID-19 patients needing care, hospitals need more supplies. Now, North Mississippi Health Services is asking people with outpatient appointments or visitors to their facilities to bring their own masks. The healthcare provider says a large number of masks were donated last year but those face coverings are gone. NMHS must rely on its own…

Corinth Schools Begins Sixth Year Of ‘Modified School Calendar’

CORINTH, MISS. (WCBI) – The parking lot at Corinth High School is full, students returned to school last week. The district went to what is known as a “Modified School Calendar’ six years ago. It gives students breaks throughout the year, instead of a long summer. The goal is to provide extra help for students and to reduce the “Summer…

Morning fog making way for more sunshine on Tuesday

SUMMARY: The middle part of the workweek will be amazing for early August with mostly sunny skies and cooler. less humid conditions. The summer heat and humidity will make a comeback by the weekend. TUESDAY: Some of us are waking up to foggy/misty conditions out there. Visibility levels are getting low so drive with caution if you’re heading out. A…

North Mississippi Health Services pleads for more vaccinations as spread of Delta variant, healthcare worker shortage causes ‘dire situations’ at hospitals

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Monday, leadership for North Mississippi Health Services held a press conference at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo to give the public an update about the impact that the COVID-19 Delta Variant is having across the state. “Right now what’s happening with COVID is, we so don’t want it to happen again but it’s here, it’s…

Bruce Police Chief Tony Sockwell Dies in a vehicle crash

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Bruce Police Chief William Sockwell, better known as Tony, died in a vehicle crash early this morning. Monday, the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to the fatal crash around 8:30 A.M. on highway 331 in Calhoun County. Sockwell was traveling northbound when his Chevrolet Silverado crossed the center line and ran off the left side of the…

COVID-19 testing is making an unwanted comeback

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- COVID-19 cases across the state of Mississippi have risen again. The rise in the Delta variant is driving a rise in testing; that had slowed down after the vaccine became more readily available. Winston County Medical Center CEO Paul Black has encouraged people to get tested if they have symptoms even if they have been vaccinated….